Aplopeltura

Aplopeltura
Aplopeltura boa, Khao Luang National Park.
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Pareidae
Genus:	Aplopeltura Duméril, 1853[3]
Species:	A. boa
Binomial name
Aplopeltura boa Boie, 1828[2]

Aplopeltura is a genus of snakes of the family Pareidae. It contains a single species, Aplopeltura boa, the blunthead slug snake or blunt-headed slug-eating snake.[1][2] It is a small, non-venomous snake. The species can be found in southern Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and the Philippines.[1]

A. boa eats mainly snails, especially operculate species. Their jaws are more mobile than those of most other vertebrates. With their mandibles, they cut the operculum off from their prey with a unique "sawing" motion. [4]

A. boa has been observed performing simple death feigning behavior. The snake rolls itself into a spiral with its belly up, staying still until the threat leaves. Unlike other death feigning snakes, A. boa does not emit a foul odor or open its mouth. [5]

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  Aplopeltura boa, Khao Sok National Park.

References

1. Grismer, L.; Diesmos, A.C.; Gonzalez, J.C.; Jose, R. & Inger, R.F. (2012). "Aplopeltura boa". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. IUCN: e.T176342A1440473. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T176342A1440473.en. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
2. Aplopeltura at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 20 May 2016.
3. Duméril (1853). Prodrome de la classification des reptiles ophidiens, page 67.
4. Kojima, Yosuke (2020). "Mandibular sawing in a snail-eating snake". Scientific Reports. 10 (1): 12670. Bibcode:2020NatSR..1012670K. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-69436-7. PMC 7391773. PMID 32728121.
5. Jablonski, Daniel. "Death feigning behaviour in Aplopeltura boa". ResearchGate. Natural History Note. Retrieved 27 October 2021.